^ 



41 



Take Fred. F. Mitchell's crop at the basis of SI 0.69 



from one four year tree : 



20,000 trees $213,800 " '.' 



Take cost out 45,000 



.", Net profit, 4 years $168,800 '•; hI 



At the same rate, Harris' plums would pay him S80,000 

 in the fourth year, and Spurr's $80,000. From the above 

 estimate we have a net profit of from $30,000 to $225,000 

 on an investment of $45,000, and still have the land and 

 orchard left free of cost. Suppose you say I have figured 

 too high. I will divide them by 10, and we have a profit 

 of from $3,000 to $22,500. We have now at our doors an 

 enterprise that will discount an orange grove, or any other 

 enterprise, whereby a capitalist can double his money in so 

 short a time, and help to make the country prosperous. 



Plum trees are sometimes planted in apple orchards* 

 Plum and apple trees are planted alternately, and, as plum 

 trees require much less room, bear fruit much younger, and 

 are much shorter lived than apple trees, by the time the 

 latter reach full size the plums may be cut out, leaving all 

 the ground to the apple trees. This plan has its advantages, 

 but is not to be recommended when it is desirable to attain 

 the greatest success. As a general rule plums require 

 higher culture and more heavy manuring than apples. 

 "While inferior crops of apples may be grown on land seeded 

 down to grass or grain, plums are generally a total failure 

 under such treatment. With such usage they often shed 

 their leaves in midsummer, when all growth of tree and 

 fruit ceases. Thorough cultivation until the crop is nearly 

 matured is the best known remedy for this evil. 



In most respects the culture of the plum is similar to 

 that of the apple. They may be planted much closer, a rod 

 being a very convenient distance, giving 160 trees to the 

 acre. Thinning the fruit in the manner spoken of under 

 apple culture is very important, as the plum often have 

 immense crops, to the serious injury of the tree. For the 

 same reason annual manuring is absolutely necessary. A 

 failure in this respect generally means a failure of crop, 



There are three serious obstacles in the way of plum 

 growing, viz., the disease known as Black Knot, Curculio, 

 and Rot. ^ . ; , . . 



The Black Knot is the worst disease to which the plum 

 is subject. Indeed it has become so great a scourge that 

 many farmers have become discouraged and given up the 

 culture of this fruit. This ought not to be when it can be 



